POPLARVILLE – When Pearl River head coach Tim Hatten opens the 2012 season against the reigning MACJC and NJCAA champion East Mississippi Lions Aug. 30 in Scooba, it will be on very unfamiliar turf.

You see, in Hatten’s 25-year coaching career — 20 as a high school and junior college head coach and five as a prep assistant — he has never entered a season off a losing campaign.

But that’s not the case this season. A year ago, his squad suffered through a 4-5 record, marking the first losing mark of his career and the first for PRCC since 2000.

“Last year, we had some unforeseen shortcomings, but (the season) was really no different from any other year,” Hatten said. “We lost to Northwest (56-55) and (MACJC runner-up) Gulf Coast (17-10) on the last plays of those two. No excuses, but we just didn’t make the plays at the end of games, plus we didn’t get the breaks when we needed them.

“If we had gotten a break here and a break there, we could’ve easily been on the winning side and in the playoffs.”

Despite missing the post-season for the third straight year, the 2011 River offense still generated 4,185 total yards — the third-highest mark in school history — behind 2004's 12-game state and national championship season (5,202 yards) and 2005's nine-game (season cut by two games due to Hurricane Katrina) state title year (4,370 yards).

“And we accomplished all that in a nine-game season,” he said. “We had the offensive punch to win them all, but we weren’t up to snuff on the defensive side, which wasn’t on the level we’ve come accustomed to in the past.

“Besides, in the Hinds loss (59-32), we were intercepted three times off deflections and they scored three touchdowns off tipped passes. Normally that doesn’t happen to us. Like I said, we didn’t get the breaks when we needed them.”

PRCC partisans will get a solid indication of their Wildcats’ prowess right off the bat when they open at Scooba.

“That’s going to be a gigantic game for both sides,” said Hatten, who boasts a 77-24 win-loss mark over the last decade. “We’ll be mighty young in spots, but mighty talented.”

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Heading into preseason drills, talented incoming freshman Joe Kirkland of Moss Point is making huge strides and could be pushing for the starting quarterback job, while 2011 back up Darius Holder of Lumberton is also in the mix.

Holder, who will also see action at wide receiver, saw action in four games at QB as a freshman last season.

“We’re going to be fine at the quarterback position. We’ve got lots of talent and football smarts there,” Hatten said. “Darius had a great spring and with his athleticism, he’s going to be fine. And if the situation arises, he can still take some snaps (at quarterback) for us if needed.”

The remaining receiver spots will see virtually all new faces with the exception of Kris Riley of Orange Park, Fla., who saw limited playing time a year ago.

Sophomore Markeyus “Cheeto” Johnson of Forrest County AHS returns as the Wildcats’ key running back, while Jamaal Hall and Scottie Merrill, both out of Picayune, will see plenty of action.

Fifth-year offensive line coach Drew Causey sees a front chock full of veterans.“There won’t be any lack of experience there,” said Hatten. “We’ve got five returning sophomores on the O-line and they all saw starting time last year.”

Returning for second seasons are Cody Conkle, Levi Freeman, and Tanner Phillips, all of Petal; Michael Muli of North Forrest and Jordan Sutherland of Bay High. Wesley Haas, a St. Stanislaus alum, redshirted a year ago and is back on board.

Defensive coordinator Jim Nowell returns for his second year with the Wildcats and expects plenty of improvement.

“Mainly, we’re going to be a lot deeper,” Nowell said. “We had decent players last year, but our depth wasn’t nearly where it should’ve been. The difference between our starters and back ups a year ago was huge. We’ll be playing a lot more guys this time around.”

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Back on the line from last season are E.J. Pearson of Forrest County AHS, Marcus Hosey of Bassfield, and Maurice (Mo) Jones of Picayune; but the new blood definitely puts a gleam in Nowell’s eye.

Among the newcomers expected to get playing time on the defensive line is freshman Germonee Brown of Petal.

On the ends, Carl Green of McComb, Martez Simpson of Madison Central, Josiah Smith of George County, and Jordan Parker of Madison Central are all strong candidates for starting berths.

The only returner at linebacker is Carvey Magee of Bassfield, who has bulked up from 220 to 240 pounds in the last year.

Talented newcomers include Carlton Burger and Jared Smith of Petal, and Jamaal Taylor of Lumberton.

In the secondary, the only returning players are Leon Carlton of Hoover, Ala., and Marino Daggan of Bassfield; while Joe Klein, a redshirt sophomore who prepped at St. Stanislaus, has been moved from wide receiver to safety.

“I’m excited about the defense,” Nowell said. “They all have great attitudes and work habits. If our new guys can rise to the occasion, we’re going to be fine.”

Hatten says the Wildcats’ kicking game could be special.

“Our kicking game could be as good as ever. We’ve got three kids that can place kick, kickoff, and punt. And they’re all quality kind of players,” he said, noting the likes of Michael Allizzo of Ocean Springs High, Brandon King of Florence High, and Mark Moore of Hattiesburg High.